Ohio pastor found guilty of fire code violations for using church as shelter

OHIO — A municipal judge in northwest Ohio has found Pastor Chris Avell of Dad’s Place Church guilty of criminal charges for failing to comply with the city’s fire code after he opened his church as an overnight refuge for homeless individuals.

Judge Kent North’s ruling, issued Tuesday, could result in Avell facing a $200 fine and up to 60 days in jail if he continues to allow people to stay in the church without state approval certifying that the building meets safety standards.

The legal battle, which began in late 2023, centers on whether the church can operate as a temporary shelter without meeting zoning and safety regulations.

The case has drawn heightened attention amid a brutal cold snap, with temperatures in Bryan dropping into the single digits Tuesday.

Judge North stayed the sentence, allowing Avell to appeal the conviction. His attorney has confirmed plans to do so.

Last year, Bryan police filed 18 criminal charges against Avell, citing violations including improper zoning, lack of kitchen and laundry facilities, unsafe exits, and inadequate ventilation in the rented church building.

The church, which sits next to a separate homeless shelter on Main Street, responded by filing a federal lawsuit against the city.

The lawsuit accuses officials of harassing the church and its members and attempting to shut it down prematurely.

In a statement on its website, the city said the ruling does not prevent Dad’s Place from functioning as a church but emphasized that overnight stays must cease until proper fire and building code applications are filed and approved.

The legal fight is expected to continue as Avell and his supporters push back against the city’s restrictions.